Is Non-Consequentialism a Feature or a Bug?

Abstract

Human moral values mix about nine parts function with one part flop. As psychologists, most of our time is spent trying to understand the flops. It is not that we neglect the functions entirely; they are well identified in the literature. Morality can promote cooperation (Nowak, 2006), decrease violence (Pinker, 2011), foster monogamy (Henrich, Boyd, & Richerson, 2012), protect property (Maynard Smith, 1982), promote trade (Henrich et al., 2010), and even improve our personal health (Rozin, 1997). We psychologists pay homage to the functions of morality with the regularity of a priest reciting an honored liturgy, and at least half the enthusiasm.